The Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General's Office reported suspicion against the head of a private enterprise, who, along with the director of the KP "Pleso" of the Kyiv City State Administration, is suspected of embezzling funds allocated for environmental protection measures in the capital.

According to the investigation, in 2021, KP "Pleso" received over 1.7 million UAH from the city fund for environmental protection for the creation of water protection zones in Kyiv.

Understanding that the money needed to be used by the end of the year, the director of the municipal enterprise agreed with the head of the private company for their illegal appropriation.

Despite the fact that the previous tender had not yet been completed, the officials announced a new one and ensured the victory of the desired enterprise. The parties signed a contract for the development of land management projects for five sites, including Trukhaniv and Venetian islands.

 Subsequently, on December 23, they signed an act of completed works, although in fact no work had been carried out. Already on December 30, funds were transferred to the enterprise. In particular, for works that did not require execution, over 1.7 million UAH was paid.

The actions of the suspects have been qualified as embezzlement of budget funds in particularly large amounts and official forgery (part 5 of Article 191, part 2 of Article 28, part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

At the same time, prosecutors from the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General's Office ensured the cancellation of unlawfully established water protection zones and coastal strips on Trukhaniv and Venetian islands in court. This will prevent construction or other illegal use of these territories. Relevant records have already been removed from the State Land Cadastre.

Earlier, the director of KP "Pleso" was also notified of suspicion in the embezzlement of budget funds allocated for environmental protection measures in the capital. The investigation against him is currently completed, and he is familiarizing himself with the materials of the criminal proceedings.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Main Investigative Department of the National Police with the operational support of the SBU units responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and countering terrorism financing.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a guilty verdict of the court.